World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg returns to SDSU
Washington Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg pitches during a challenge between the Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies on September at Nationals Park in Washington D C File photo courtesy Tony Quinn Icon Sportswire Former Aztec baseball participant three-time Major League Baseball All-Star and World Series The bulk Valuable Sportsman Stephen Strasburg has rejoined the San Diego State baseball group as part of the coaching staff it was stated Monday The San Diego native who attended West Hills High School in Santee will serve as special assistant to the head coach on The Mesa He will assist with duties such as fundraising and special events as well as serving as a crew mentor and pitching maturation coach Stephen Strasburg is arguably the best pitcher in college baseball history but what makes this announcement so special is how much he cares about this undertaking this city and giving back to the championship Aztec coach Kevin Vance explained in a declaration He s a proud Aztec and San Diegan and he s never forgotten his roots Stephen didn t arrive on The Mesa as the individual we know this day he earned it through hard work competing in a great tradition and initiative built by Tony Gwynn He wants to help give our players the same opportunity and climate to grow We couldn t be more excited to welcome him back home to SDSU baseball Strasburg was named to the College Baseball Hall of Fame induction class last June following a stellar collegiate career In Strasburg won the USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award and was named National Pitcher of the Year by College Baseball Foundation He also earned the Dick Howser Trophy that season given to the nation s largest part outstanding collegiate baseball member He was also a consensus first-team All-America selection in both and and garnered Mountain West Pitcher of the Year accolades in each of those seasons During his three years with the Aztecs from - Strasburg set school records for most of strikeouts in a match season and career Strasburg also holds the school record for the lowest career ERA of and tied the scheme s standard for preponderance victories in a season with as a junior in according to an SDSU message To have someone of Stephen s stature who chooses to give back to our players and scheme says everything you need to know about who he is and what his values are Vance announced Following his career on The Mesa Strasburg was the No overall pick in the MLB Draft by the Washington Nationals where he stayed for the duration of his -year career earning All-Star accolades in and before collecting MVP honors at the World Series Strasburg was inducted into the Aztec Athletics Hall of Fame in
